Department of Cultural Affairs

Taiwan Folk Arts Museum

In the early Japanese colonial period (1895-1945), Beitou became famous for its hot springs, and gradually developed into a holiday and health resort. This completely wooden villa first served as a Japanese officer’s club, and for a time housed a kamikaze air squadron. After World War II, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs converted it into the Jia Shan Guest House, and later sold it to private buyers. In recent years, it has been converted into the Taiwan Folk Arts Museum. The complex is divided into a higher and a lower group of buildings, all made of wood in a Japanese style. The main building has two stories, with a large hall on the second floor, exquisitely handcrafted of quality wood. The Japanese-style garden that is part of the teahouse also remains in perfect condition, with a small bridge crossing a flowing stream, an artificial hill and a waterfall.